History of Interfaith Hospitality Network

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Rochester was started in March of 1999 when a group of caring individuals saw the need to provide shelter, meals and comprehensive assistance to homeless families in the Rochester area. IHN opened its doors to guests in March of 2001 and relocated to its current day center in January of 2003. IHN operates as a 501c3 corporation and is managed by an Executive Director and by a local Board of Directors.

IHN has 15 host sites and 35 additional faith communities that assist with the mission. There are a total of over 1600 volunteers that work with the local network and provide the nightly housing, meals and support. IHN is an affiliate of Family Promise, a national organization, started in Summit NJ
in 1988 and oversees 138 networks in 39 states.

Family Stabilizer Counselor Program

In 2005 IHN of Greater Rochester added this program. In our Shelter Program the Stabilizer Counselor works with the guest families on a daily basis, helping them to network in the community to find housing, employment and stability. Our Counselor holds life skills training classes for the guests helping them with financing, parenting, rental and legal issues. After securing housing, the Counselor works with the families for one year in a follow-along program to provide stability so that the children stay in the same schools, and the families remain in their housing and do not fall back into homelessness. Families that work with the follow along program have a success rate of over 75% remaining stable.

Transitional House

Because of a wonderful unexpected donation IHN was able to purchase a single family dwelling that will be used for qualifying families that need a little more time to find housing and employment…but need the stability that a home gives while they search. This is a short term transitional house and families length of stay will be two to three months. The families will continue to work with the Family Stabilizer Counselor while in this transition.